Automatic ignition switch



Sept. 17, w A, CLARKE JR AUTOMATIC IGNITION SWITCH Filed Oct. 18, 1927 Inwemar WA, (Ya rke, J21

Attornqy Patented Sept; 17, 1929 CFFICE WILLIAM A. CLARKE, JR., OF NEW L XINGTON, OHIO AUTOMATIC IGNITION SWITCH Application filed October 18, 1927.

This invention relates to automatic ignition switches for use in conjunction with the ally a pair of spaced contact points that are adapted for electrical connection within the engine ignition circuit together with means for causing the engagement of the points bythe oil pressure when the motor is operated and is supplied with an adequate amount of oil.

One of the most important objects of this invention is to provide a switch of this character that is of relatively simple construction and inexpensive of manufacture and installation and that will operate efficiently under various conditions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view as the nature of the invention will be better understood, the same comprises the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompinying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts through out both of the views:

Figure 1 is a detail longitudinal section through my improved switch, and

Figure 2 is a, horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 22 of Figure 1.

Now having particular reference to the drawing, my novel switch consists of a casing 5 preferably of cylindrical formation, open at its upper end and being externally screw threaded for receiving a threaded cap 6. This capis formed centrally with a nipple 7 for the purpose of permitting of the attachment of one end of an oil pipe 8 thereto, which pipe is to be extended to the crank case of the internal combustion engine and to have com- Serial No. 226,940.

munication therewith. As disclosed in Figure 1 this pipe 8 is equipped with any suit able character of check valve 9 to prevent the return flow of the oil from the crank case to the switch casing 5.

D The bottom wall of the cylindrical casing 5 1s formed with an inlet neck 10 externally threaded for permitting of the attachment at one end with a pipe 11 thereto, which pipe is adapted to have communication with the engine o1l pump, not disclosed.

Located within the casing 5 adjacent the upper end thereof is a cup 12 of porcelain or other suitable insulating material to the bottom wall of which is arranged a pair of current conducting pins 13-13. The inner ends of these pins are electrically connected to complementary horizontal screws 1et14 arranged through the side wall of the cup 12 and through the side wall of the switch casing 5, set screws being suitably insulated from the casing as clearly disclosed in Figure 1, and to the outer ends of which are to be attached electrical wires to be attached in the ignition circuit of an internal combustion engine.

The lower end of one of the pins 13 is equipped with a spring contact member 15 that extends to a point beneath the other pin 13 and that is by its own inherent resiliency normally spaced therefrom.

Slidable within the said casing 5 beneath the cup 12 is a suitable plunger 16 equipped at its inner end with a strip of insulating material 17 for engagement with a tit 18 upon the spring contact member 15 when the plunger is forced upwardly for causing the spring member to engage the adjacent pin 13 whereupon the circuit is completed between the two pins 13-13 in an obvious manner.

It will therefore be seen that during the operation of the engine the 'oil will be caused to flow to the pipe 11 by reason of the usual pump structure which will force the plunger 16 upwardly for moving the spring contact 15 against the adjacent spaced pin 13.

At opposed points, the bottom wall of the insulating member 12 is formed with notches 1717 for permitting any oil that may flow past the plunger 16 to discharge from the casing 5 into the engine crank case by reason of the pipe 8, the return flow of the oil from the crank case being prevented due to the presence of the check valve 9. This will prevent the accumulation of oil within the cars ing 5 above the plunger 16 which would 0bviously produce a short circuit, resulting in the inoperation of the device, and the bringing about of the results intended.

In view of the foregoing description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing it will at once be apparent that I have provided a highly novel, simple and extremely eflicient automatic ignition circuit that is well adapted for all the purposes heretofore designated, and even though I have herein shown and described the invention as consisting of certain detail structural elements it is nevertheless to be understood that some changes may be made therein without affecting the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim as new is In a switch of the character described, comprising a hollow casing, a block of insulating material arranged Within the upper portion of the casing, a pair of spaced conducting members secured to the bottom of said block, a spring contact arm secured to one of said conducting members and being adapted to normally rest in close spaced relation to the other conducting member, a pressure operable plungers slidable within the casing below the said block, and an insulating plate interposed between the said plunger and block, and being adapted to be urged upwardly by the plunger for causing the contacting of the spring arm with other conducting member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM A. CLARKE, JR. 

